Efficient collaboration support system by using Internet - development of research information exchange system by using Internet and its application to collaboration support system

Introduces a collaboration support system for research in joining and welding engineering implemented on the Internet. To perform collaborative research efficiently, it is necessary for researchers to exchange research information more easily. The Internet is able to share, distribute and communicate multi-modal information across the boundaries of time and space. Therefore, an information exchange system implemented on it is able to support collaborative research effectively. From this standpoint, various Internet communication tools are examined and the requirements of an information exchange system using these tools are considered. As a result of these examinations, it is concluded that a communication tool combining mailing lists and electronic bulletin boards with a reference information database is the most effective first step to construct such a system. A research information exchange system based on the above conclusion has been developed. The system consists of a teleconference room, for discussing research work, and a research collaboration support platform. As application examples, an online symposium concerning joining and welding engineering, held on the teleconferencing system, and the analysis of structured materials by the finite element method, performed using the support platform, are shown.